Compulsion

About the Book

Ten fourteen. One plus one is two plus four is six plus ten is sixteen minus one is fifteen minus two is thirteen. OK.

I turn from the clock and walk into the hallway. "Ready."

Saturday will be the third state soccer champion­ship in a row for Jake Martin. Three. A good number. Prime. With Jake on the field, Carson City High can't lose because Jake has the magic: a self-created protection generated by his obsession with prime numbers. It's the magic that has every top soccer university recruiting Jake, the magic that keeps his family safe, and the magic that suppresses his anxiety attacks. But the magic is Jake's prison, because sustaining it means his compulsions take over nearly every aspect of his life.

Jake's convinced the magic will be permanent after Saturday, the perfect day, when every prime has converged. Once the game is over, he won't have to rely on his sister to concoct excuses for his odd rituals. His dad will stop treating him like he is some freak. Maybe he'll even make a friend other than Luc.

But what if the magic doesn't stay?

What if the numbers never leave?

Acclaimed author Heidi Ayarbe has created an honest and riveting portrait of a teen struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder in this breathtaking and courageous novel.

Educator and Librarian Resources

Critical Praise

Ayarbe exercises both enormous skill and restraint getting to the root of just how debilitating OCD can become, juxtaposing descriptions of the ways the mind’s compulsions can trip a trap of mental and physical anguish against a complex, credibly casted portrayal of teen social dynamics. A gripping, claustrophobic read. — Booklist (starred review)

A compelling entrée into the claustrophobic world of an OCD teen. Taut, suspenseful and well-realized — Kirkus Reviews

“Teen readers will be quickly caught up in the sheer momentum of Jake’s tale as he unwittingly reveals the source of his terrors and compulsions. This achingly believable novel is highly recommended for libraries serving young adults.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

COMPULSION is a starkly honest, compelling read. It will grab you and plunge you into the unusual, yet strangely familiar mind of Jake Martin and you will come out different. — Francisco Stork, author of MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD

When I finished, I closed the book and said, “Wow.” When an author can convey emotions and struggles of a character in a powerful way, you have a winning tale. Language, dialogue, and pacing is very realistic and stays true without falling back on clichés and stereotypes. A must read. — YABooksCentral.com

“Convincing and gut-wrenching. Jake’s story is a powerful one. If you’re up for a book that will drag your emotions in and hold them ’til the last page, Compulsion may be just what you’re looking for.” — melaniesmusings.net

A compelling and convincing narrative voice. Both poignant and earthy. Numerous shadowy flashbacks help build tension throughout the novel. Older teen readers will be quickly caught up in the sheer momentum of Jake’s tale as he unwittingly reveals the source of his terrors and compulsions. Achingly believable. Highly recommended. — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

One of the most realistic works of fiction portraying OCD that I have yet to come across. I’d love to see Jake Martin’s story discussed not just among YA readers but in psych classes and reading groups. — www.reclusivebibliophile.com

This is [a book] I recommend to anyone. It will be eye-opening. — www.flippingpagesforallages.blogspot.com

A must-read, especially for those who have an interest in psychology or who have some kind of experience with OCD. — ElliotReview.blogspot.com

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